IHRA flays false report, declaration on Mt Koubru
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, May 10 2021: The attempt to spread false information through an Imphal-based evening daily on May 9 and the state government's declaration of Mt Koubru as reserved forest on Sunday are highly condemnable, misleading and a grave violation of human rights, asserted International Human Rights Association (IHRA), Manipur.

IHRA, Manipur president Mark Thangmang Haokip said that there was no such record of reserved forest in and around 1968 by the name of 'KK Reserve Forest' in the pre-statehood history of Manipur.

This is purely artificial and designed to be presented as true in the eyes of the innocent people to buy their trust for the next general assembly elections.

"Manipur Government should not indulge in such sinister tactics and mislead the people as such kind of arbitrary action for deprivation of one's property or land is strictly not allowed under Article 17 Clause 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", he asserted and appealed to the state government not to indulge in such activities in future.

He further said that the Forest Department of Manipur must bear all responsibilities for issuing artificial documents in public domain while cautioning that IHRA Manipur will initiate befitting legal action if the forest department fails to withdraw the said declaration within one week from the date of publication of the press release.

Mark Thangmang continued that the actual intention of the Manipur Government over the artificial declaration of Mt.

Koubru as reserved forest has two purposes - the first reason is to use the fake reserved forest declaration to lure innocent people of the valley into a trap for electoral purposes; and the second one is to create distrust and conflict amongst the tribal communities.

It is also a kind of inhumane and degrading treatment through psychological policy that is against Article 1 & 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he added.

Mark then pointed out that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), 2007 forbids occupation of the land of the indigenous people without their consent and it is clearly stated in the provision Article 26 clauses: (1) Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.

(2) Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired.

(3) States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands, territories and resources.

Such recognition shall be conducted with due respect to the customs, traditions and land tenure systems of the indigenous peoples concerned.

Therefore, the direct imposition of forest Act upon Mt.

Koubru through arbitrary means without the consent of the indigenous tribal community or any improper channel for deprivation of one's dignity and rights is a grave violation of human rights, for which the central government should take up proper legal action to stop such acts committed by the state government, he stated.

Mark also said that the IHRA will send reports to the central government concerning the fake declaration of Mt.

Koubru reserved forest for initiating proper action.

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